Flowers, Forests & Foraging For Free Food

This course will help people to identify Britain’s native trees and some of the local wild flowers but, far from being just about names, it will concentrate on the uses of the plants found – wood products, medicinal herbs and wild plants that can provide us with both food and drink.

Try taking the pith (of elder) as used for watch repairs, discover how pineapple weed makes a soothing tea and how to recognise plants such as pignut, garlic mustard and sorrel to keep the weekly food bill down. Some of the plants collected will be used in the evening meals and with luck we will also sample some home brews.

Nature walks with Patrick are always different – a name here, some folklore there (we might try “gathering nuts in May”), a cure for migraine or a wonderful soup. Add in a sense of humour – why should education be serious? Lastly we must not forget the wonderful countryside around Crieff, the setting for our daily foraging.

In the evenings there will be slide shows about trees, flowers and herbal medicine and even a session on plants in poetry and prose – who said botany was boring?

Weekend Course

£270 per person, sharing a twin-bedded or double room *

£330 per person, single occupancy *

Prices include 3 nights B&B accommodation with a three course dinner on the arrival night and 2 subsequent evenings, packed lunch each day, and tuition by Patrick Harding.

Breakfast includes cereal or home-made apple muesli, orange juice, a full fry-up, toast, fruit and tea or coffee.

Packed Lunch includes: freshly made filled rolls, fruit and nuts, juice and home-baking.

The location of lunch will be in the open air, picnic style, whilst out on the foray - hopefully within easy access of toilet facilities.

Vouchers available should you wish to give this course as a gift

Katy Galbraith is the owner of Galvelmore House B&B which has its own individual style, with many unique pieces of art (including mosaics) on the walls and in the garden.

Located in the centre of Crieff, the B&B is well positioned for the various classes on offer.

The B&B offers accommodation for the participants or is happy to welcome partners who chose not to partake in the class,